Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Francis (Frank) OTWELL - Died 1839

On the Otwell side, Francis was the last ancestor we were able to confirm for our family tree. From census reports he was born between 1766-1774. We have found no information on his birth, parents or location of his early years.

We have no record of his marriage. The Scott County, Kentucky 1810 Census listed six children along with a woman old enough to be his wife. We believe his wife died some time after this census. The census records showed many children. We were able to confirm William, Parker and Mary Ann as his children.

On July 16, 1818 Francis Otwell next married Eleanor Tucker in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Her maiden name was Berry. She had a son, Greenberry Tucker, from her previous marriage. Francis became Greenberry's guardian and he was around the same age as Francis' son, Parker. Parker and Greenberry became life-long friends. Parker named "his good friend Greenberry Tucker" as the executor of his will.

Francis Otwell was listed on the 1820 Census in Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky. He had nine slaves.

In 1827 Eleanor and Francis were involved in a legal dispute over property (Berry vs. Tucker). They were on opposing sides to Greenberry and other heirs that were involved in the dispute. We next found Francis on the 1830 Scott County Census. There is no listing for Eleanor on this census nor is she mentioned in Francis' will in 1839. We did find Mrs. Otwell's death listed in 1850. However, she was buried under the name Tucker in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Francis Otwell's estate appraisal was submitted to Scott County Court in January 1839 by his son, Parker Otwell, Administrator. He had died at his Frank Otwell Farm. The appraisal included a list of his inventory and the value of his possessions. The first listing was his 16 named slaves valued at $7175. There were also 37 notes owed to him by family and friends. Francis' son, William (our ancestor), moved to the Frank Otwell Farm.